Eligible Baldwin County households affected by Hurricane Sally and Hurricane Zeta may receive financial assistance toward purchasing a home through a new disaster recovery program funded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

The Baldwin County Commission has allocated approximately $19 million to the Homeownership Assistance Program, which will provide assistance to up to 200 eligible households. The program is intended to address unmet recovery needs from the 2020 storms while helping residents overcome barriers to homeownership.

The application portal is scheduled to open Sept. 21.

The program prioritizes households with incomes at or below 80% of the area's median income, which is listed by Baldwin County as $102,400.

Applicants must also meet at least one disaster tie-back requirement. They must have lived in Baldwin County during the disaster event, been directly or indirectly impacted by the storms and been approved to purchase a home or been in the process of buying a storm-damaged home at the time of the disaster.

The county said the program is designed to support long-term recovery, reduce vulnerability to future disasters and help eligible households obtain safe, quality housing.

"Individual awards may total up to $85,000, depending on household need," a statement from the county said. "Eligible costs include down payment assistance and interest rate buy-downs and closing costs. Down payment assistance is limited to 20% of the total purchase price."

The program also may cover legal services related to the homebuying process and buyer's agent fees of up to 3% if those fees are not paid by the seller. Other eligible costs include home inspections, homebuyer education, case management and lender coordination.

Awards will be provided through a forgivable, no-interest loan agreement with the county. Recipients must occupy the home for at least five years from the closing date.

"Baldwin County has never offered a program like this before," the county's statement said.

Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the program is fully subscribed and all funds have been reserved for applicants receiving Conditional Award Letters, the county will maintain a waiting list of applicants who have met the program's eligibility requirements.

If additional funds become available or applicants are removed from the program, the county said it will notify the next eligible applicant.

Applicants will need to provide documentation of annual income, including tax returns, identification and residency during the disaster event. Specific documentation requirements will be outlined in the application guidance.

Residents and community partners can learn more about the program and receive assistance with the application process at two upcoming public meetings.

The first meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Baldwin County Foley Satellite Courthouse, Large Meeting Hall, 201 E. Section Ave., Foley.

The second meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Baldwin County Fairhope Satellite Courthouse, County Commission Chambers, 1100 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope.

Residents who cannot attend either meeting are encouraged to visit the Baldwin County Commission's website for additional information about the program and application process. 

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.